The Diocese of Lucena on Monday called for an end to new coal projects in Quezon province, claiming they would add to the environmental degradation caused by similar power plants.
“We call upon these corporations and their power subsidiaries to listen to the cry of the Earth and cancel their plans to set up this dirty, deadly, and costly source of energy. We appeal to the local and national government and their respective agencies to listen to the cry of the people of Quezon and disallow these projects and any further coal plants in our beloved province,” the group said in a statement, which was signed by over 100 members of the clergy.
Municipalities under the Diocese of Lucena are already home to an installed coal capacity of at least 1,644 megawatts. Proposed projects in Quezon are expected to add 3,330 MW.
“Already, the people of Quezon have suffered respiratory and skin diseases associated with toxic coal plant emissions,” the statement read.